Comprehensive Guide for Foreign Patients Departing Shanghai Due to Medical Needs

For foreign patients in Shanghai who need to leave China due to medical conditions, this guide provides detailed steps and critical information to facilitate a safe and smooth departure. Whether you are conscious or unconscious, proper documentation, coordination, and medical support are essential to ensure your well-being during travel. Below is an expanded guide to assist you, your family, and caregivers through the process.

1. Departing Shanghai If You Remain Conscious

If you are conscious and able to travel with assistance, the hospital in Shanghai will provide you with the following three essential documents to facilitate your departure:

• Medical Certificate: This document, issued by your treating physician or hospital, outlines your medical condition, treatment history, and the necessity of travel for further care. It serves as official proof of your health status for airlines and immigration authorities.
• Risk Disclosure Notice: This notice explains the potential risks associated with air travel given your medical condition. It is typically signed by you or your legal guardian to acknowledge these risks and confirm your decision to travel.
• Application for Special Passenger Air Travel: This form is required by airlines to accommodate passengers with medical needs. It includes details about your condition, any required in-flight medical equipment (e.g., oxygen), and special arrangements, such as priority boarding or seating near medical staff.

Steps to Follow:

1. Consult with Your Hospital: Work closely with your healthcare provider to obtain these documents. Ensure they are accurate, stamped, and issued in English or accompanied by certified translations, as airlines and immigration officials may require this.
2. Coordinate with Family or Guardians: Your family members or designated caregivers should use these documents to book air tickets. Inform the airline in advance about your medical condition to arrange for special assistance, such as wheelchair access or in-flight medical support.
3. Contact Your Embassy or Consulate: Notify your embassy or consulate in Shanghai to inform them of your travel plans. They can assist with coordinating medical care in your home country, provide guidance on travel regulations, and, if necessary, liaise with Chinese authorities.
4. Prepare for Travel: Ensure you have all prescribed medications, medical records, and any portable medical devices (e.g., oxygen concentrators) packed and ready. Verify that these items comply with airline and international travel regulations.
5. Check Destination Requirements: Confirm the medical and immigration requirements of your destination country, including hospital transfers, quarantine protocols, or additional documentation.

Additional Tips:

• Book a direct flight whenever possible to minimize travel stress and reduce the risk of complications.
• Request a medical escort (e.g., a nurse or paramedic) for the flight if your condition requires ongoing monitoring.
• Carry contact information for your treating physician in Shanghai and the receiving hospital in your home country.

2. Departing Shanghai If You Are Unconscious

If you are unconscious or unable to travel without significant medical support, your departure will require specialized arrangements to ensure your safety. This process involves advanced coordination between hospitals, airlines, and medical teams.

Key Requirements:

• Ambulance to the Airport: An ambulance will transport you from the hospital to the airport. This must be arranged through the hospital or a licensed medical transport provider. The ambulance team will ensure you are stable during transit.
• Tarmac Access Pass: To bypass standard airport procedures, an access pass to the tarmac is required. This allows the ambulance to deliver you directly to the aircraft, minimizing delays and ensuring a smooth transfer.
• Medical Staff Onboard: The flight must be equipped with a qualified medical team, including at least one doctor and one nurse, to monitor and care for you during the journey. The medical staff may come from:
  • Your Home Country: If arranged by your family or embassy, medical personnel from your home country can accompany you, providing continuity of care. Upon arrival, they will assist in transferring you to a local hospital.
  • China: If Chinese medical staff are assigned, they will provide care during the flight but will typically return to Shanghai immediately after landing without leaving the airport. In this case, arrangements must be made for a receiving medical team at your destination.

Steps to Follow:

1. Hospital Coordination: The hospital in Shanghai will initiate the process by preparing a detailed medical report and coordinating with the airline and medical transport services. They will also liaise with your family or embassy to ensure all parties are informed.
2. Arrange Medical Evacuation: Your family or embassy should contact a medical evacuation service or air ambulance provider. These services specialize in transporting critically ill patients and can arrange for a fully equipped medical flight if necessary.
3. Secure Documentation: The hospital will provide the same three documents as for conscious patients (medical certificate, risk disclosure notice, and special passenger application), along with additional paperwork, such as a physician’s authorization for air travel and a transfer agreement with the receiving hospital.
4. Embassy Involvement: Your embassy or consulate plays a critical role in facilitating international medical transfers. They can help arrange for medical staff from your home country, coordinate with the receiving hospital, and ensure compliance with international travel and health regulations.
5. Destination Planning: Confirm that a hospital in your destination country is prepared to receive you. Provide them with your medical records and details of your condition in advance. Arrange for an ambulance or medical team to meet the flight upon arrival.

Additional Tips:

• Medical evacuation flights are costly and may not be covered by standard travel or health insurance. Verify coverage with your insurance provider and explore options for financial assistance if needed.
• Ensure that the medical team has all necessary equipment, such as ventilators, monitors, or IV drips, compatible with the aircraft and approved by aviation authorities.
• Maintain open communication between all parties (hospital, airline, embassy, and receiving medical team) to avoid delays or misunderstandings.

3. Critical Considerations for a Safe Departure

Regardless of your condition, the following points are essential for a well-coordinated departure:

• Communication with Your Embassy or Consulate: Your embassy is your primary point of contact for international travel and medical repatriation. They can provide guidance on legal requirements, assist with documentation, and connect you with medical resources in your home country. Keep them updated on your travel plans and medical status.
• Liaison with Medical Professionals: Maintain clear communication with your treating physicians in Shanghai and the medical team at your destination. Share all relevant medical records, including test results, treatment plans, and medication lists, to ensure continuity of care.
• Airline Coordination: Notify the airline of your medical needs as early as possible. Provide them with all required documentation and confirm that they can accommodate your condition, whether through special seating, medical equipment, or onboard assistance.
• Travel Insurance and Costs: Medical evacuations and international transfers can be expensive. Review your travel or health insurance policy to understand coverage for medical repatriation, ambulance services, and in-flight medical care. If costs are not covered, discuss payment plans with the hospital or medical evacuation provider.
• Cultural and Language Support: If you or your family are not fluent in Chinese or English, request translation services through the hospital or your embassy to ensure clear communication with medical staff, airlines, and authorities.

4. Practical Tips for a Smooth Departure

• Pack Essential Items: If conscious, bring personal items such as identification documents, travel insurance details, and emergency contact information. For unconscious patients, ensure these items are carried by a family member or medical escort.
• Understand Chinese Regulations: Foreign patients must comply with Chinese immigration and health regulations before departure. This may include clearing hospital bills, obtaining exit permits, or meeting quarantine requirements.
• Plan for Contingencies: Delays or complications can arise during medical travel. Have a backup plan, such as alternative flight options or temporary care arrangements, in case of unforeseen issues.
• Stay Informed: Check for any travel advisories or health-related restrictions in China or your destination country, as these may affect your departure or arrival.

5. Resources and Contacts

• Shanghai Hospitals: Major hospitals in Shanghai, such as Huashan Hospital, Ruijin Hospital, and Shanghai East International Medical Center, have international departments that assist foreign patients with medical documentation and travel arrangements.
• Embassies and Consulates: Locate your country’s embassy or consulate in Shanghai for assistance. Most have 24/7 emergency lines for citizens requiring medical repatriation.
• Medical Evacuation Services: Companies like International SOS, Medevac Express, and Air Ambulance Worldwide operate in China and can arrange medical flights.
• Airlines: Contact airlines operating out of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to inquire about medical travel accommodations.

Conclusion

Leaving Shanghai for medical reasons requires careful planning and coordination to ensure your safety and well-being. Whether you are conscious or unconscious, securing the necessary documentation, arranging medical support, and maintaining clear communication with your embassy, hospital, and airline are critical steps. By following this guide and leveraging available resources, you can navigate the complexities of medical repatriation and focus on your recovery.

For further assistance, contact your hospital’s international patient department, your embassy, or a trusted medical evacuation provider. Safe travels and a speedy recovery.